Inspired Family Destinations in Philly

Yes, you need to see The Liberty Bell and the Rocky statue in front of the famous Art Museum steps, (which you will undoubtedly want to run up), but there are many lesser-known sites that make Philly unique.

Philadelphia is commonly known as the city of cheesesteaks and soft pretzels. While that’s absolutely true, (and delicious), the birthplace of America has also become a mecca of public art.

Mural ArtsTours last between 1-2 hours and are the most convenient way to experience all that outdoor art. Your family will be guided around town on foot, by train or via adorable, old-fashioned trolley to see many of the most creative, outlandish and evocative murals.

Get up close with, photograph and learn about the artists and their artwork adorning the sides of buildings.

During the summer, check out the tour option that shows off Philly’s vibrant community gardens too. Not only will gawk at the larger-than-life murals, you’ll also learn how urban gardening is helping transform once-struggling city neighborhoods.

Magic Gardens

This magical place offers a completely different kind of garden experience!

Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens is not a traditional garden in any sense. It is a myriad of broken mirror pieces, found objects, glass bottles, ceramics and fractured tiles that have been assembled to produce a walkable urban maze of wonder.

The legendary haunt is set in the middle of a block on South Street and is Philly’s answer to Antoni Gaudi's architectural artistic marvels in Barcelona. (Neither should be missed!)

World Café Live’s Peanut Butter & Jams Concert Series

Kids and adults can discover the burgeoning world of independent family music on Saturdays at World Café Live in University City. Talented bands from all over the country take the stage weekly at 11:00 a.m. to rock out for kids ages two to pre-tween. (Note: the series goes dark in summer)

Despite what preconceived notions you may have about children’s music, these are modern bands that won’t make parents go crazy even has they have the kids dancing like crazy! It’s a win-win!

Many Grammy Award-nominated ‘kindie’ (kids + indie) acts perform here as part of this concert series, including Gustafer Yellowgold (like clockwork every January), Justin Roberts and SteveSongs from PBS Kids.

Drive out to Philadelphia's gorgeous Fairmount Park and discover this hidden gem of the city's family activity scene. The massive Smith Memorial Playground is set on more than 6 acres of rolling hills behind the grandiose playhouse which dates back to the 19th century.

The playground’s calling card is the legendary, century-old, 44-foot wooden slide that kids and adults cruise down on via burlap sacks.

During the summer months, be sure to catch the Kidchella Music Festival at the Smith every third Friday evening in June, July and August. Lay out a picnic blanket, enjoy food truck cuisine and hear some of the best all-ages bands in the country.

Philadelphia’s Riverfront

Despite the city still not having the walkable picturesque riverfront it deserves, there is fun to be had along the Delaware River. The RiverRink is a nearly year-round family destination offering ice skating in winter and roller skating when it's warm.

Spruce Street Harbor Park is a seasonal hot spot with pop-up food pavilions, an oversized chess board and huge Connect 4 games. There are also hammocks, man-made sand beaches, paddle boats and green spaces for relaxing in the shade.

City Hall

Many locals aren’t hip to the fact that you can travel skyward to see Billy Penn high atop Philadelphia’s City Hall. The views from this enclosed observation deck are incredible, and the experience of rising up through the clock tower in this 19th-century landmark feels like time travel.

During the summer, bring your kids' bathing suits for watery fountain play on the west side of City Hall. Food trucks await, serving drinks and tasty munchies.

You'll be tempted inside by the promise of seeing Steven Spielberg’s first movie camera, Irving Berlin’s piano, a Sandy Koufax autographed baseball and Albert Einstein’s pipe. Yet, this stunning Smithsonian-affiliated museum offers families so much more than celebrity artifacts.

Located a stone's throw from the Liberty Bell, the Museum of American Jewish History tells the full story of the Jewish experience coming to and living in America. It is at times a harrowing journey, of course, but ultimately essential viewing and reading for all people, young and old alike, who wish to empathize with and understand the diversity that makes America great.

Philadelphia Union Soccer

It might seem strange to include the fastest growing sport in America in an off-the-beaten-path story, but the truth is that our country’s domestic leagues still fly under the radar.

The Union is Philly’s Major League Soccer club, and they play in a gorgeous, atmospheric soccer-specific stadium on the riverfront in Chester, Pennsylvania (just a few miles south of downtown Philadelphia).

Tickets to Philadelphia Union matches are affordable, (relative to NFL, NHL, NBA and even good seats to a Phillies game), so take your kids to see the beautiful game during the March – September season.

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